Devourer

Chapter 167: Poisoned Accord

I watched as Uriel and Silvana circled the Devotee with interest. Silvana especially seemed very interested in what she was seeing. The Devotee was calmly kneeling on the floor of the throne room as it fulfilled its function.

I could sense the ether radiating from it as its mind filled with a level of devotion and passion that only a creature born within a hive could possess. It was a rather clever design, if I do say so myself. Hive creatures all had a piece of their minds bound within the hive mind itself. So when you sever the creature from the hive mind it would be like severing off a piece of their psyche. At best you get a distressed and feral creature at worst the creature might just become catatonic.

The catatonic outcome was usually found within the higher level creatures or those who act as controllers. Those creatures have a larger piece of their minds within the hive mind. If you cut out too much of the mind, then what remains can no longer function.

This connection causes a level of devotion for the hive mind that was unlike any other kind of devotion. I have some memories of humans and the level of devotion my minions feel was way above anything a humanoid could possibly feel. The first coupling between lovers, the love for a child, the love for a parent, nothing even comes close.

I merely sheared off about ten per cent of the devotion a creature usually feels for the hive mind and allocated it to the prayers. The end result was ten times what the most devoted of humans could produce. I have about a thousand of these ready, and judging by the average amount of ether given off by prayers, these thousand are the equivalent of about a hundred thousand normal humans. That wasn't saying much honestly since half the humans barely believed and only prayed in the hopes they were going to get something out of it. Shallow devotion was all most of the humans had so naturally the yield was relatively poor. But on the other hand, it wasn’t entirely fair to lay this at the feet of the humans. The Seraphim hasn’t actually done much to inspire devotion. They just come down every now and then to smite something. They are not exactly what you would call attentive rulers.

I mean, I barely care about all of the schmucks around me, and I’ve done more for them in the past year than the Seraphim have over the past few thousand years.

Judging by the cold and fascinated look in Silvana’s eyes, I can guess that was how the higher ups in heaven thought of this place. As far as the Seraphim were concerned this world that was filled with their faithful was just a giant generator. A very inefficient generator, I might add.

So I think my solution was much better. It’s more efficient and reliable.

Devourer Powergen, get your devotion today!

“Now, this is interesting,” Silvana said as she slowly circled the creature.

“This would solve the current issues.” Uriel agreed.

“But this presents another problem.” Silvana said and the pair of them faced me.

“You will eventually hold the reins of our power.” Uriel said and I gave her a wide smile in response.

“I know clever, isn’t it? But what’s the difference to you? If we go to war your giant generator explodes, and then you get fucked in the north. If Divonia collapses as well then you are really screwed. You can’t afford to fight me too.” I replied with a laugh.

Uriel merely scowled at me but I saw Silvana smile. That smile slightly unnerved me, it meant that she knew something I didn’t. It didn’t take long for Uriel to also notice Silvana was smiling. The grimace on her face faded when she saw Silvana’s eerie smile and her expression turned to confusion.

“Very clever, I do so miss talks like this.” Silvana said with a wide grin.

“The recent millennia have been so boring.” Silvana added with a light chuckle.

Huh, I guess the ancients really do act differently. Silvana’s race predates the Draconians which means that she should be older than Mahaila. Any Draconian that was alive right now should have family trees that are so long half the information should be lost by now.

“So do we have an accord?” Cecilia asked and Silvana looked at her for a moment before turning to face Uriel as if saying it was her show.

Why do I feel like this was all just a game to Silvana?

“On the point of the new cults, this will have to be discussed in greater detail. As for the vampires, that is a separate matter entirely. We find it difficult to accept that we are now at peace with the vampires. They have committed many crimes and have yet to answer to them.” Uriel said and I let out an audible sigh. This was just a weak attempt at getting concessions from me, but I also know politically she at least has to contest this. If the angels let it go then who else might seek shelter under my umbrella. What’s next? I take a Daemon Prince in as a servant?

“So let me get this straight. You want me to punish or hand over the vampires for crimes committed against you. You want justice and you can’t or couldn’t be bothered to get it from the vampires so now you ask me to just do it for you? For free?” I asked dryly.

“It would allow our current arrangement to stand.” Uriel stated.

“And if I refuse? You are what? Going to attack us? Well if we go down that road I better start implementing some artic adaptations into my hive. We are going to need it up north after all.” I said calmly and I saw a flash of uncertainty cross Uriel’s gaze.

“Let us be clear of one thing Archangel. We are merely acquaintances who have agreed not to attack each other. We are not under any obligation to bend to your demands. If you prove to be poor potential allies we simply might choose to invest our time and energy in other parties.” Cecilia said calmly.

“I would be very careful with your implied threats Archangel. Only a fool makes threats they can’t follow through on.” I said as I let out a bestial growl.

“These threats are no more than the usual.” Silvana said suddenly with a crooked smile.

“We are friends as long as our interests align. Friends today, enemies tomorrow.” Silvana said with a light airy chuckle implying that she had seen this story play out a thousand times.

“Then in line of false friendships and alliances built on bad faith, I propose a compromise.” Cecilia stated as she interlaced her fingers, looking for all intents and purposes like a merchant about to deliver their best pitch.

“We will not punish the vampires because they are useful in case you ever decide to attack us.” Cecilia began and I saw Uriel narrow her eyes in response, Ariel glanced at her mother in uncertainty and Silvana just gave an amused smirk,

“But right now as it stands, you can’t do anything about it. If you could we wouldn’t be having this conversation. If we do as you say the moment you settle the problems in the north and in Divonia you will turn your sword to us purely on the grounds that my friend here is a monster.

So here is what I propose a win win scenario. We will continue to build up our own power, the Mugummans and the Naga have gotten in contact with us and I am inclined to accept any favourable alliance.” Cecilia stated bluntly, telling the angels to their face that she was perfectly willing to add more of heaven’s enemies to her own deck.

“But it will come with a stipulation, none of them will be allowed to antagonise you or your allies. If the talks succeed I can make it so that the Naga no longer raid Divonian waters and the Mugummans will leave the Merchant Princes alone.

My end goal is to create a three-power system in the three worlds. You being heaven will have control over the north and Divonia. The Demons can continue their ceaseless squabbling in hell. Here in Terra the Averlonian Empire will be its own power, independent of both heaven and hell. We will maintain the balance of power in the interests of peace.

The rights of your worshippers will remain safe, and they will be free to give you prayers. If there is a shortfall of prayers for whatever reason we will provide a compensatory amount, but it is not the full amount. I will not be responsible for your inability to maintain the faith of your own followers. We are not even attempting to lead them away from you, they are leaving of their own volition.

If you so wish I will even allow Seraphim to live in my Empire and work with the Church of Order to rekindle the faith. But they will not be permitted to enforce their faith on anyone.” Cecilia finished, and there was a silence.

I could practically see the gears turning in Uriel’s head and judging by her vital signs it seemed this was a decent deal in her mind. I mean it honestly is, they couldn’t exactly do anything to us without risking losing everything. Plus they have no idea that the Mahaila was on our side and that I have intentions to ally with the Syndicate behind their backs. Then there was that demon who was calling himself my friend down under.

The demons have spent more time fighting each other than everyone else combined. They even fight each other while they are fighting someone else. So technically I don’t have to ally with all of the demons, even getting along with one of the rings of hell would be useful. The Pride, Greed and Lust rings are suitable since I could tempt them with false promises. “My my that is the most honest proposition I have ever heard.” Silvana said with a laugh.

“I don’t like wasting time.” Cecilia stated with a small smile.

“Which begs the question…” Silvana said as she widened her smile.

“There is no such thing as a truly honest proposition so if it seems honest… what are you hiding from us?” Silvana asked as she took a step forward.

“What great secret are you keeping?” Silvana asked as she narrowed her eyes eagerly.

This girl was giving me some serious crazy woman vibes…

Well I guess it comes part and parcel with being an ancient. The old world was crazy so you gotta be crazy to survive…

“Oh I like you...” I said with a smile as I stared at Silvana.

“And what do you like about me?” Silvana asked as she raised a brow.

“Conversation is so much easier when we skip the bad theatre.” I said with a laugh.

“So what’s it going to be Archangel Uriel? That’s our offer laced with poison, so how about you go up to heaven and discuss how to give me an acceptance offer that is also laced with poison?” I said with a laugh.

In response Uriel just sighed as she gave Silvana a weary look.

“Yes I suppose that is what this has come to. I shall consult on what variety of poison we wish to use.” Uriel replied wearily.

“See you soon.” I said with laugh.

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Uriel sighed as she sat down in her chair as she looked up at the ceiling. By the divine she hated Silvana. Yes, all of this is a game, but if you wanted to build a better world you had to at least try to reject the cruelty of the old. Silvana always unnerved her, she never really gave off the feeling that she was committed to making a better world. Or even to maintain the peace and prosperity of the Seraphim.

In fact, she seemed more interested in her little projects and objects of interest. When Uriel first joined the council Silvana barely even attended the council meetings. She just sent one of her servants to take notes. Uriel remebers her attending four meetings in fifty years and she only attended those meetings because of Raphael’s incessant nagging.

It was only after the council passed a rule that all members must attend did she finally start showing up. But in Uriel’s opinion that motion was giant waste of time since all that did was create the situation of Silvana blankly sitting at her seat and not contributing anything. It was plainly obvious she didn’t want to be on the council and she would much rather just do her own thing.

Which begged the question in Uriel’s mind… why didn’t she just resign from her post? It was almost as if something was keeping her there. There were some rumours that Silvana was a spy from the Seven Virtues that lived in the Celestial Palace. However, the seven virtues need only ask and every member of the council would be duty bound to tell them everything. Plus the Divine Virutes served the Dominion and acted as it’s voice. The Dominion was the source of all Seraphim power so rebellion and betrayal was impossible. Thus there was little to no reason for Silvana to be placed here by force.

Which to Uriel begs the question. Why was she here?

More over, what just happened down there before the Great Beast?

That was the chattiest she had ever seen Silvana, emotion was a rare thing for Silvana. For her to smile as wide as she did at the Great Beast, that had simply never happened before. To Uriel that looked like the smile of someone who had just laid eyes on something that they missed so very much.

“What is it she missed so much…” Uriel muttered to no one in particular as she gazed at the ceiling of her office.

Silvana was old, very old. Easily the oldest on the council. Could it be she was never that onboard with the vision the council had of the world? Could it be that she craved the chaos of the old world. The ceaseless wars, bloodshed for bloodshed’s sake?

Uriel sighed again as she sat back up and looked down at the fine parchment before her. Well there was no point wracking her brain about it now. She was getting nowhere, she might as well get this draft proposal ready. There was another council meeting tomorrow. Uriel glanced at the magical clock that showed the time and she let out another weary sigh as she dipped her pen into the ink vial before muttered to herself.

No sleep again, it seems…

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